Charlotte County Utilities
Expansion Projects - Municipal Service Benefit Units
Rotonda Villas/Springs utilities expansion MSBU
What is the Rotonda Villas/Springs MSBU? The Rotonda Villas and Rotonda Springs subdivisions are part of the service area acquired by Charlotte County through the purchase of AquaSource Utilities in 2000. The water and wastewater infrastructure in these subdivisions, which was installed by a developer in the early 1990s, had never been activated or connected to the main distribution or collection systems.
In 2006, the County retained the services of engineering consultant DMK Associates to evaluate the existing utility systems in Rotonda Villas and Springs and to determine what repairs and improvements would be required to bring this infrastructure in line with County standards and activate it through connection to the County system. Unfortunately, both the water and wastewater systems failed the pressure testing, and it was apparent that major repairs and replacements were required.
In a January 2007 preliminary engineering report, DMK summarized the necessary repairs and replacements. At that time, members of the Rotonda Meadows/Villas Conservation Association Board and other key stakeholders requested that CCU move forward with the establishment of a Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) to fund the required improvements.
What is a Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU)? Municipal Service Benefit Units, or MSBUs, are created by County ordinance to fund specific services for defined areas, thus costs are evenly assessed on each property within the benefit unit. Revenue is derived from non-ad valorem assessments (literally, “no value,” meaning the assessment is not based on the value of the individual properties). The assessment is certified to the tax collector and appears on your tax bill as a separate line item. Funds collected must be spent only within that MSBU. The annual cost of the projects in each MSBU is divided by the total number of Equivalent Residential Units (ERUs) within that MSBU, resulting in a per-ERU assessment. The method used for each MSBU is defined in its resolution. Click here for more information on MSBUs.
Who approves the creation of MSBUs? At the request of County staff, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approves the establishment of new MSBUs. Rotonda Villas and Springs property owners were notified in writing in June 2007 and had the opportunity to address the BCC at a public hearing in July. Final approval was issued at the final budget hearing in September 2007.
What are the costs associated with the MSBU? Costs associated with the MSBU include design, engineering, surveying, construction, land purchases if necessary, interest on borrowing and other indirect costs. The current cost to individual property owners is $297.40 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU), per year for 20 years. Each year, the MSBU will be reconciled and adjustments to the rate will be computed. The assessment cannot be raised without public notification and BCC approval. In the second year of the assessment and beyond, property owners will have the option of paying the remaining amount in full without interest on loans not yet taken.
What other costs can I expect? At the time of connection, additional costs associated with the installation of, or conversion to, an LPS system, as well as CCU connection fees will be the responsibility of the property owner.
Why am I being assessed for more than one ERU? The number of ERUs per tax account is determined based upon criteria outlined in the resolution creating this MSBU. Generally, the number of ERUs per tax account is based upon zoning, current development, and acreage within each tax parcel.
What happens next? The next step is to retain an engineering consultant to complete the final project design, to be followed by bidding and construction services. Based on timelines for similar projects, design and construction should take approximately two years to complete.
For more information: If you have further questions about the Rotonda Villas/Spring utilities expansion, please contact Customer Service at 941.764.4300.
